Life is a journey that has purpose and meaning. ” For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end ” (Jeremiah 29:11). It has been said that the day you were born isn’t what is important nor the day you die but what you do with every day that lies between the two. It is comforting to know that God thinks about us but oh so reassuring to know that He has the end in mind and it is good. However, there are no guarantees that a little rain won’t fall on our paths. ” That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust ” (Matthew 5:45). It isn’t the rain that is important but how you deal with the rain. God says, ” But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him ” (Hebrews 11:6).
I recently had the privilege to sit at the edge of the ocean and watch the waves come in and out crashing to the shore as the wind picked up. It wasn’t long until the fog rolled in, the rain pelted the water and visibility became very low. Suddenly, without a fuss, no loud warning or dramatic entrance a flash of light from the distance broke through the fog, ignored the rain and shone a beautiful beacon of light guiding all who would look to safe passage. My heart could not help but overflow with joy as I watched the light shine time and time again with regular familiarity, great strength and silent peace. It reminded me of the many times in my life when the storms of life have rolled in. Always, and without fail, the light of Jesus shone through piercing the darkness, bathing the day with His love, paving the way with His grace and giving me the expected end of peace. Just as the lighthouse shone through this dreary night, God has always shone through the darkness of my life. As I sit there longer, my thoughts continued.
The fog rolled in quickly but not all at once. I had opportunity to watch it move into the area that I was sitting. I began to think about the times in my life when my mind was confused and I felt as if I were living in a fog. It was much like what I witnessed at the edge of the ocean. The fog just kept coming and I just sit there. In those times in my life that I found myself confused, the trials or troubles that were overwhelming me came one trouble or trial at a time. I didn’t find myself suddenly dropped into a world of confusion but instead watched things pile up one at a time. As I saw the light penetrate the fog from where I was sitting on the beach I realized that the light was always penetrating the fog but only when I was looking at and for it did I realize the strength of the light. This evening I realized this is just like the love of Jesus. Only when I am looking for it and looking at it do I realize the strength of His love. I also realized that in my own life that I would have perfect peace if I would only heed His warning and follow His light found in this guidance to ” Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you ” (1 Peter 5: 8-10). I must be watching for the fog to roll in and looking for the light to dispel it not after it has surrounded me but at the very first sign of trouble.
As I continued to sit looking at the light as it pierced through the rain my heart nearly pounded out of my chest as my heart heard His words, ” Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory :” (I Peter 1:8). I was reminded of His constant love and care for me and that the light is always shining. I couldn’t help but think about some circumstances in my own life where sadness has reared its ugly head. Everyone has experiences in their lives that are sad whether it be sickness, death or other circumstances. But, my heart was overjoyed as I was reminded that though a little rain must fall in all of our lives nothing can keep the light from shining into our hearts and guiding us to ” joy unspeakable .” Again I realized that the light was always shining but unless I was looking for it and looking at it I could not realize the strength of that light. But, just as soon as I saw it, turned my attention to it and allowed it to shine upon me I could see that the rain was powerless against it. It was then I knew the true meaning of Matthew 11:28-30. ” Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light .”
God continued to deal with my heart as I saw the waves pounding the shore. I couldn’t help but think of those times in my life when I was going through a storm. There was more than rain there was a constant pounding to the foundation of my soul. But then suddenly like the cool breeze that was blowing, God whispered sweet peace to my heart and I heard His words, ” And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm ” (Mark 4:39). It was then that I knew the true peace that His light had always given me. His light that overshadows my being, lights my path and guides my way is always shining and the waves can’t prevail against me ” because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world ” (I John 4:4). Yes, life is a journey and no doubt the devil will pound us but if we but focus on Jesus we will soon watch the storm pass by, the thunder roll no more and the clouds roll forever from the sky. Oh yes, He will keep me safe and let me stand in the presence of His light.
Time began to creep by and I watched darkness overtake the sky. Fog couldn’t keep the light from shining, the rain was powerless against it and even the waves couldn’t keep the light from leading me safely but now there was darkness. What would this mean? Could the devil prevail and his darkness blot out the light. With just seconds to ponder this thought I saw the miracles of miracles. Not only was darkness not able to stop the light from shining, it seemed to shine even brighter in the presence of darkness. Quickly I was reminded of the words of Christ, ” Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life ” (John 8:12). He is the light of the world. He is always leading. His light is always shining and those who follow after him don’t ever have to walk in darkness. Thanks be to God for His wonderful blessings and the fact that the light is always shining. We must walk in it.